Remembering the great Satchel Paige

Not sure why, maybe because of the article in The Star over the weekend about the movement in Birmingham, Ala., to create a competing Negro Leagues museum, but for some reason the fascinating Satchel Paige crossed my mind the other day.

Not sure why, maybe because of the article in The Star over the weekend about the movement in Birmingham, Ala., to create a competing Negro Leagues museum, but for some reason the fascinating Satchel Paige crossed my mind the other day.

Though he was only 75 when he died in Kansas City in 1982, Paige remains a symbol of the eternal: He was 59 when he made his last MLB appearance, albeit a gimmicky one, in 1965 with the Kansas City Athletics.

And as it happens, on this day in 1948, Paige, then 42 and a Negro Leagues legend, made his major-league debut with the Cleveland Indians.

In his honor, we revisit his six observations on “How to Keep Young,” which he first offered (publicly, anyway) to Collier’s magazine 60 years ago last month and still resonate.

*“Avoid fried meats, which angry up the blood.”

*“If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.”

*“Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.”

*“Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain’t restful.”